ENGLAND are in town and they are chasing a Grand Slam. But the men in white have a chequered history when it comes to closing the deal. Ruaidhri O'Connor picks through the ones that got away.

Murrayfield, March 17, 1990

Scotland 13

(T Stranger try, C Chalmers 3 pens)

England 7

(J Guscott try, S Hodgkinson pen)

IT was the English who were hotly tipped to win the Slam, but the hosts had other ideas. Coached by Ian McGeechan and led by David Sole on a famous slow march on to the field, they tore into England to seal their own clean sweep thanks to Tony Stanger's try.

Youtube: http://url.ie/a9ga

WEMBLEY, APRIL 11, 1999

Wales 32

(S Gibbs, S Howarth try each, N Jenkins 2 cons, 6 pens)

England 31

(S Hanley, R Hill, D Luger try each, J Wilkinson 2 cons, 4 pens)

CLIVE Woodward's bandwagon rolled into Wembley for an 'away' fixture with Wales. Scott Gibbs had other ideas and scored a memorable try minutes from the end, Neil Jenkins converted and London was painted red.

Youtube: http://url.ie/a9g6

Murrayfield, April 2, 2000

Scotland 19

(D Hodge try, con, 4 pens)

England 13

(L Dallaglio try, J Wilkinson 2 pens, con)

The English arrived determined to expel the ghosts of Wembley but in torrential rain they met their match. Duncan Hodge scored the crucial try and despite Jonny Wilkinson's best efforts, Scotland held on.

Lansdowne Rd, Oct 20, 2001

Ireland 20

(K Wood try, D Humphreys 3 pens, R O'Gara 2 pens)

England 14

(A Healey try, J Wilkinson 3 pens)

KEITH Wood scored his famous try as Ireland spoiled English Grand Slam hopes. They might have gone on to win the World Cup within two years, but Woodward and his charges couldn't get out of Dublin quick enough after accepting their championship medals while Ireland celebrated.